Outcomes of Telehealth Group Psychosocial Interventions for Breast Cancer Patients and Their Partners
Abstract
Over 2000 DoD beneficiaries are diagnosed annually with breast cancer and approximately 1500 active duty service members received treatment for breast cancer during the past decade. This has major implications for immediate and long-term readiness of active duty personnel who are themselves diagnosed with breast cancer or experience this diagnosis within their families. An important component of treatment is psychosocial support for both patients with breast cancer and their partners/caregivers. The WRAMC Department of Psychology and Clinical Breast Care Project (CBCP), in collaboration with the American Psychological Association (APA), developed a group psychosocial intervention program specifically designed for military beneficiaries - an 8-week intervention for patients with breast cancer, and a 6-week intervention for their partners. It is especially important that intervention is provided soon after initial diagnosis because the sooner an intervention is provided, the more effective in preventing long-term stress reactions in response to traumatic events. In implementing this program at WRAMC, we have found that attendance is affected by a number of factors, thereby inhibiting the effectiveness of the intervention. Obstacles to a consistent participation in the program include treatment side effects (in approximately 25% of interested women), difficulty traveling to the medical center (approximately 32%), unavailability of psychosocial support services for personnel stationed in remote locations (12%) and TDY of active duty personnel who have returned to duty post-treatment (10%). Use of video-teleconferencing (VTC) in the WRAMC CBCP program has allowed participation by active duty service members stationed where no support services are available, but who are in proximity to a VTC site. Preliminary data provides proof of concept for participation in the WRAMC group program via telecommunications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA436945
Entities
People
- Debra L. Dunivin
Organizations
- Walter Reed Army Medical Center